Minnesota West’s Return Policy for TA funds 

What is your institution's policy on the return of unearned TA funds to the government?

Students who use Tuition Assistance (TA) are expected to remain enrolled in the course throughout the duration of the semester. If a student using TA withdraws from the course, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of the benefit that was originally authorized. To remain in compliance with the Department of Defense's policy, Minnesota West Community and Technical College will return any unearned TA funds through at least 60% of the semester on a prorated basis. The amount of unearned TA that is returned is based on the date of withdrawal from the course.

After 60% of the semester has passed, TA will not be evaluated for a return to the DOD.  

As an institution, we will bill the DOD after 60% of the semester has passed to reduce the amount of incorrect TA funds being disbursed by the DOD to Minnesota West Community and Technical College We will only bill for the amount the student earned given their enrollment. 

What is your institution’s schedule for returning unearned TA to the government?

Bold type identifies the 60% completion point  

5- Week Course: withdrawal submitted 

Day 1-7 100% return
Day 8 77% return
Day 9 74% return
Day 10 71% return
Day 11 69% return
Day 12 66% return
Day 13 63% return
Day 14 60% return
Day 15 57% return
Day 16 54% return
Day 17 51% return
Day 18 49% return
Day 19 46% return
Day 20 43% return
Day 21 40% return
Day 22 0% return  

Note:  The educational institution's week of instruction is counted as 7 days.

 8- Week Course: withdrawal submitted 

Before or duing week 1 100% return
During week 2 75% return
During weeks 3-4 50% return
During week 5 40% return(60% of course is completed)
During weeks 6-8 0% return

 16-Week Course: withdrawal submitted  

Before or during weeks 1-2 100% return
During weeks 3-4 75% return
During weeks 5-8 50% return
During weeks 9-10 40% return(60% of course is completed)
During weeks 11-16 0% return

For courses that have durations differing from those listed above: 

Unearned TA funds will be returned on a prorated basis, depending on the length of the course. To determine the amount of TA that needs to be returned, the institution will determine the date the withdrawal was submitted, and then divide that by the number of days in the term to determine the percentage of TA that was earned by the student.  

Example: The student enrolled in a course that's duration is 30 days. The withdrawal was submitted on the 14th day. The institution would perform the calculation to determine how much TA was earned by the student's attendance: 

(14 divided by 30 equals 46.6%. 47% of the TA authorized was earned by the student, which means 53% of what was authorized will be returned to the DOD) 

 

Enrollment Certification 

Declaring or Changing a Program 
You must state the same educational objective (program of study) in your applications to both Minnesota West and the Veterans Administration. If you change your program, please contact the military & veteran services coordinator, who will notify the VA.

The law permits one change of program without prior approval if your attendance, conduct and progress in your previous program were satisfactory. The VA may approve additional changes if the proposed programs are suitable to your abilities, aptitudes and interests. The VA will not charge a change of program when you enroll in a new program provided you successfully completed your most recent program.

Registration 
You are responsible for notifying the military & veteran services coordinator each new semester to request enrollment certification, which starts your VA benefits. Requesting certification should be done at the time of registration. Contact the coordinator if you have questions.

Change of Enrollment 
If you change your enrollment status, you should immediately contact the military & veteran services coordinator and ask that the appropriate VA regional office be notified of the change. You should also notify the appropriate VA regional office yourself. If the VA does not receive prompt notice of a change, you could be liable for an overpayment of benefits.

 

About Us

2024 – 2029 Strategic Plan 

Adopted in May 2024, the 2024 – 2029 Minnesota West Strategic Plan is a clear, measurable, and manageable plan aimed to elicit action and innovation throughout the College. The plan is aligned with the Minnesota State Strategic Framework and is organized into four goals, corresponding strategies, objectives, and steps/tactics.  

• GOAL 1: Provide learners with flexible, valuable, and relevant career pathways.
• GOAL 2: Enhance strategic partnerships to increase learners’ success and strengthen our region.
• GOAL 3: Advance innovation and support inclusive excellence throughout the College.
• GOAL 4: Increase access and foster sustainability through strategic investment of resources.

2024 – 2029 Minnesota West Strategic Plan
2024 – 2029 Minnesota West Strategic Plan Overview

Implementation

Annual Prioritization & Review

The Minnesota West leadership team, under the guidance of the President, is responsible for the annual review and update of this plan. 

  • Updates include a review of performance metrics, assessment information, and stakeholder feedback to determine priority strategies, completed and/or additional objectives. 
  • Priorities, identified leaders, and the updated plan is shared with the College community each year early in the Fall semester.

Assessment & Accountability 

 The 2024-2029 Strategic Plan performance metrics are outlined by goal. Performance metric targets are determined by College leadership, and are documented, reviewed, and shared annually. Every department and area are expected to annually develop, track, and report annual goals aimed to achieve the goals in this plan. 

More information will be provided to the College community on this process in Summer 2024.

Development Overview 

From August 2023 – May 2024 Minnesota West facilitated a four-phase, developmental, and inclusive process to create the 2024 – 2029 Strategic Plan. The process was led by the Strategic Plan Leadership Team, a cross-divisional and -college team; membership on the team was determined through a college-wide nomination process.

Additional Information and Previous Plans

 

The Minnesota West leadership team, under the guidance of the President, is responsible for the annual review and update of this plan.

·         Updates include a review of performance metrics, assessment information, and stakeholder feedback to determine priority strategies, completed and/or additional objectives.

·         Priorities, identified leaders, and the updated plan is shared with the College community each year early in the Fall semester. 

More About Us

Learn more about Minnesota West Community & Technical College and find out why, no matter where you are in life, an education here is the first step toward a promising, purposeful future.